Museums and Castles events

Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeons. Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock.

Please note: The tour involves going underground via steep steps with low light levels, uneven ground, and damp conditions. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tours

Why is Wakefield always rooting for rhubarb? 

Join us at this fun hands-on workshop to find out why rhubarb is so important to our local history!

Get crafty painting your own plant pots. 

Create a special cover that ‘forces’ rhubarb to grow the Yorkshire way. 

You’ll also get some rhubarb seeds to sow and grow at home! 

Children will love getting to work and learn together with you, their grown-ups.

The workshop will start and finish in the Learning Zone located on the Upper Ground Floor within the main Wakefield Library space.

This workshop is delivered in partnership with the Community & Family Learning Team at Wakefield Council’s Adult Education Service.

Tickets £2.50 per child, accompanying adults free. Book Let's Sow Rhubarb Seeds!

Why is Wakefield always rooting for rhubarb? 

Join us at this fun hands-on workshop to find out why rhubarb is so important to our local history!

Get crafty painting your own plant pots. 

Create a special cover that ‘forces’ rhubarb to grow the Yorkshire way. 

You’ll also get some rhubarb seeds to sow and grow at home! 

Children will love getting to work and learn together with you, their grown-ups.

The workshop will start and finish in the Learning Zone located on the Upper Ground Floor within the main Wakefield Library space.

This workshop is delivered in partnership with the Community & Family Learning Team at Wakefield Council’s Adult Education Service.

Tickets £2.50 per child, accompanying adults free. Book Let's Sow Rhubarb Seeds!

Discover the weird world of legendary medieval monsters this half term at Pontefract Castle!

Bring your budding monster hunters and follow a trail to find the fantastical creatures.

Discover their stories and what they meant to people in the past.

Explore the magical castle grounds and complete challenges as you go.

It’ll be a beast of a day out!

Free and no booking required. Pick your trail sheets up from the Gift Shop.

Calling all museum detectives!

Join us this February half term to investigate some of our most mysterious museum objects.

Uncover the clues, follow a trail, and get crafty inspired by marvellous objects from the past.

Friday 21st February is a relaxed SEND session. SEND families are welcome at all of our sessions. We are also running this session for groups that prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.

All sessions free and no booking required.

Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeons. Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock.

Please note: The tour involves going underground via steep steps with low light levels, uneven ground, and damp conditions. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tours

Join the Castleford Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed crafts and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Join the Wakefield Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed crafts and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Join the Pontefract Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed crafts and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Discover the weird world of legendary medieval monsters this half term at Pontefract Castle!

Bring your budding monster hunters and follow a trail to find the fantastical creatures.

Discover their stories and what they meant to people in the past.

Explore the magical castle grounds and complete challenges as you go.

It’ll be a beast of a day out!

Free and no booking required. Pick your trail sheets up from the Gift Shop.

Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeons. Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock.

Please note: The tour involves going underground via steep steps with low light levels, uneven ground, and damp conditions. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tours

Discover the weird world of legendary medieval monsters this half term at Pontefract Castle!

Bring your budding monster hunters and follow a trail to find the fantastical creatures.

Discover their stories and what they meant to people in the past.

Explore the magical castle grounds and complete challenges as you go.

It’ll be a beast of a day out!

Free and no booking required. Pick your trail sheets up from the Gift Shop.

Join Charlie Bear every Tuesday during term time for a lively session of storytelling, crafts and rhymes!

We’ll be inspired by museum objects and a different theme each month. There's also a weekly Charlie Bear Challenge to try together!

Activities link to the following of your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5

#4 Make your Mark

#6 Rhyme Time

#10 Sharing books

#40 Happy History

Every Tuesday in term time, 10am – 11am

Free – No booking required

In this tasty session, home educated children aged 5+ will discover why liquorice is such a special plant. We'll explore liquorice's ancient use as a medicine and the central role it played in the rise of Pontefract’s confectionery industry. 

A guided walk will explore the castle's direct links with growing liquorice (including a quick visit down into the dungeon!*). A fun guessing game will reveal facts about liquorice's historic medicinal uses. There will even be the chance to taste liquorice as we chew on liquorice root and sample a liquorice flavoured sweet named after Pontefract.**

**Contact us in advance of booking if you have any questions or concerns relating to the handling and tasting of food stuffs in this workshop. 

*Please note that the dungeon is only accessible via steps. If anyone in your group is not able to navigate steps, please contact us before booking to discuss.

Tickets £6.35 per child, accompanying adults free. Book Home Education: Learning about Liquorice

In this tasty session, home educated children aged 5+ will discover why liquorice is such a special plant. We'll explore liquorice's ancient use as a medicine and the central role it played in the rise of Pontefract’s confectionery industry. 

A guided walk will explore the castle's direct links with growing liquorice (including a quick visit down into the dungeon!*). A fun guessing game will reveal facts about liquorice's historic medicinal uses. There will even be the chance to taste liquorice as we chew on liquorice root and sample a liquorice flavoured sweet named after Pontefract.**

**Contact us in advance of booking if you have any questions or concerns relating to the handling and tasting of food stuffs in this workshop. 

*Please note that the dungeon is only accessible via steps. If anyone in your group is not able to navigate steps, please contact us before booking to discuss.

Tickets £6.35 per child, accompanying adults free. Book Home Education: Learning about Liquorice

Meet Alphabet Cat and take part in activities, rhymes and more! 

Each month there's a new theme to help you explore Wakefield Museum. 

Have fun learning and playing together and tick off the following on your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5:

#6 Rhyme Time, #7 Making Music, #11 Making Connections, #39 Talking Signs, #40 Happy History 

Every Thursday morning from 10.30am to 11.30am during term time. 

Free and no booking required

These sessions are designed for toddlers aged 2 to 5 and their families.

Please note: The fire alarms in Wakefield One are tested at 11am on Thursdays. We have ear defenders you and / or your children can borrow.

The Wakefield district has a fascinating history of glass making. Bagley's and Co in Knottingley was one of the pioneers of gorgeous coloured glass.

Get hands-on with our Bagley's glass collection. Make your own dazzling decorations with tumbled glass.

For adults 16+

Tickets £6.75, including all materials and instruction

Book Find Your Passion - Glass art

The Wakefield district has a fascinating history of glass making. Bagley's and Co in Knottingley was one of the pioneers of gorgeous coloured glass.

Get hands-on with our Bagley's glass collection. Make your own dazzling decorations with tumbled glass.

For adults 16+

Tickets £6.75, including all materials and instruction

Book Find Your Passion - Glass art

Pontefract Castle has been the centre of many myths and legends over the years.
Did Richard II escape the castle in a tunnel running to North Featherstone?
What really is at the bottom of that well?
Bring your curiosity and questions along for some good old-fashioned mythbusting!

Free talk, booking required as places are limited.

Book Myths, lies and legends at Pontefract Castle

For adults 16+

This event will take place in the Visitor Centre at Pontefract Castle. 

Join us for a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeons. Soak in the atmosphere of this eerie underground space, discover the history of the dungeon and see where Civil War prisoners left to languish scratched their names into the rock.

Please note: The tour involves going underground via steep steps with low light levels, uneven ground, and damp conditions. Sensible footwear is strongly recommended.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tours

In this engaging home education workshop children aged 5+ will learn about the style of pottery made in Wrenthorpe!

In late Medieval times, the village of Wrenthorpe was a busy centre for pottery production. Looking at pottery examples , attendees will hear the the story of the Ackworth Hoard and discover its links to Wrenthorpe pottery. They will also meet Doug - a characterful little Wrenthorpe ware figurine uncovered by archaeologists at Sandal Castle. Inspired by Doug, participants will make and decorate their own Wrenthorpe ware style clay characters to keep.

Tickets £6.35 per child, accompanying adults free. Book Home Education: Introducing Doug

In this engaging home education workshop children aged 5+ will learn about the style of pottery made in Wrenthorpe!

In late Medieval times, the village of Wrenthorpe was a busy centre for pottery production. Looking at pottery examples , attendees will hear the the story of the Ackworth Hoard and discover its links to Wrenthorpe pottery. They will also meet Doug - a characterful little Wrenthorpe ware figurine uncovered by archaeologists at Sandal Castle. Inspired by Doug, participants will make and decorate their own Wrenthorpe ware style clay characters to keep.

Tickets £6.35 per child, accompanying adults free. Book Home Education: Introducing Doug